Food for Kids in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Looking back on our summertime mommy-daughter trip to Puerto Rico, all of the delicious meals and snacks play a starring role in many of our favorite vacation memories! From traditional Puerto Rican cuisine to kid-friendly fine dining and refreshing treats – there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Check out the food for kids in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Traditional Puerto Rican Cuisine

To get a taste of traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, we went to Raices. All of the adults ordered some version of Mofongo; mashed green plantains served with a choice of protein. I got mine with garlic shrimp. While it was tasty, I preferred the side of fried ripe plantains. Yum!

Be sure to get a side order of fried sweet plantains at Raices!

Upscale Meal Option

If you’d like a fancier meal but don’t want to book a sitter, look no further than Jam Rum Bar & Bistro Moderne! This restaurant had a modern, candy-colored decor, serves scrumptious food, and offers a “kids’ lounge.” When the kids got restless, we sent them off to play with building blocks, color with crayons, and watch movies in this little room just around the corner from the dining area.

Kids’ Lounge at Jam Rum Bar, Puerto Rico

In addition to a wide variety of tropical drinks and fine wines for adults, Jam also offers a menu of Kidtinis. With names like the Chocotini and Kidsmopolitan, how could we resist? My succulent, savory, creamy entree of Puerto Rican pork with pumpkin risotto was worth the multitude of calories. For dessert I ordered a chocolate mousse served with a crumbly chocolate cookie and a shot of coconut rum…mmm…heaven!

Please note, the Jam Rum Bar no longer offers a kids’ lounge or menu. Jam Rum Bar Manager Cristina Gonzalez said, “We do have child friendly options available but not a physical menu.”

A Refreshing Treat

One day we ventured to El Morro, the oldest fortress in Puerto Rico and a perfectly windy spot for kite-flying and a refreshing Piragua (snow cone). The vender formed our frosty treats by scrape, scrape, scraping a large block of ice. There were 19 flavors to choose from, with exotic options like sesame seed, molasses, and guava plus traditional choices like cherry, lime, and grape.

Breakfast at San Juan Marriott

Each morning we started our day at the San Juan Marriott with either room service or the plentiful breakfast buffet at La Vista Restaurant. The array of pastries (like M&M muffins!) and selection of fresh fruits were a big hit with my five-year-old, Karissa. I appreciated the vanilla-flavored oatmeal and the made-to-order omelets.

Just a peek at the extensive breakfast buffet at the San Juan Marriott (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

New Latin-Themed Restaurant at San Juan Marriott

This restaurant will get a much-needed renovation this fall (2010). One night during our stay we were treated to a sampling of the new, Latin-themed menu. The best part was the Puerto Rican-style shrimp ceviche, made with Grand Marnier and coconut.

Italian Night in San Juan

My favorite meal at the resort was at the fancier Italian Ristorante Tuscany. In my opinion, pasta is this restaurant’s strong suit. I particularly enjoyed the appetizer Fiocci, darling little purse-shaped pasta topped with a creamy cheese sauce served alongside a gorgonzola and pear salad. The tray of scrumptious mini desserts was a big hit too!

Dessert tray at Ristorante Tuscany (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Take Home a Taste of Puerto Rico

Looking for a unique, affordable souvenir that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than the local drugstore, where you can stock up on sugary treats made of coconut, sesame seeds, mango, and more. Do you prefer savory snacks? Pick up a bag of fried garlic plantains instead. Or, grab a bottle of Puerto Rican rum to mix up some tropical fruity drinks once you return home.

Puerto Rican candies and snacks (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

After all of this wonderful food, is it any wonder that I gained two pounds in a few short days on this vacation? Ahhh…but it was so worth it!

What is your favorite Puerto Rican dish or restaurant? Let us know in the comments!

A Note from the Travel Mama: Our flights, accommodations, and many other expenses for this trip were paid for by the San Juan Marriott. I always provide my honest opinions, regardless of who’s footing the bill.

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About Colleen Lanin

Colleen Lanin is the founder/editor-in-chief of TravelMamas.com. As the author of her book, "The Travel Mamas' Guide," she teaches parents not only how to survive a trip with children, but also how to love exploring the world with their offspring. Her stories have appeared online and in print for such outlets as the "Today" show, NBCNews.com, Parenting Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, Chicago Tribune, Expedia, San Diego Family Magazine, and more. Colleen gives tips on television, radio, and as a public speaker. She has a master’s degree in business administration with a background in marketing. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two kids.

Hi there! I'm Colleen Lanin, the founder of Travel Mamas. I launched this family travel blog in 2009 to help parents better connect with their kids and the world through travel and beyond. I love being a mom, traveling, swimming in fabulous hotel pools, and doing Pilates so I can eat lots of gluten-free dessert. Click on the pic to learn more about moi!